Offenbach City Guide
The Hessian city of Offenbach am Main, bordering on Frankfurt, has been well known for its leather industry since the 18th century. The Deutsche Ledermuseum Offenbach (German Leather Museum) tells the history of the growth of leather workmanship in Offenbach. The museum had already been founded around 100 years ago and is found in a classical building in the western town centre of Offenbach. The exhibition includes around 30,000 objects to do with the theme of leather production and the use of leather in daily life. Attached to the museum are also the Deutsche Schuhmuseum (German Shoe Museum), the Ethnologische Museum and the Museum für angewandte Kunst (Museum of Applied Art), in which leather products also have centre stage.
Only a few steps away from the River Main lies the Klingspor-Museum, the museum for international book art and penmanship. Here you have the opportunity to learn something about the development of typography and book art during your city trip to Offenbach. In addition, the museum offers different events such as theatre recitals or workshops at which you can create your very own book cover.
The Renaissance-Schloss Isenburg (Isenburg Castle), built in the 16th century, is today used as the campus for the college of design and is worth a visit during your travels to Offenbach. The former seat of the Count von Isenburg-Offenbach was badly damaged in the Second World War and subsequently rebuilt by 1956. You can visit the building independently or as part of a city tour to learn more about its history and construction.
On your city trip to Offenbach am Main you should also visit the Capitol, a conveniently central cultural and events centre. The Frankfurt Philharmonic have had their headquarters here since 2007. Inside, there is capacity for up to 1500 spectators and offerings range from theatre to concerts and conferences. This listed building is a former synagogue, whose interior was almost entirely destroyed after a great fire during the Pogrom Night of 1938. It was not until two years later that the plans to transform the former place of worship into a theatre were put into place.
Whoever wants to enjoy a bit of nature during their mini-break to Offenbach am Main should definitely consider a short trip to the Schlosspark Rupenheim. The expansive grounds of the Landgrave of Hessen-Kassel's summer residence invite you to take an extensive walk with a view of the Main. Musical performances regularly take place in the park, as well as in the small castle church, such as the Musik im Park music festival.
